Sukta 45
Sukta 3.45
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional for RV 3.45 Indra hymn)
Gāyatrī (probable)
This short hymn calls Indra to arrive swiftly with his tawny steeds/energies (harī), unhindered by any restraints, to partake of the offering and empower the sacrificer. It praises Indra’s deep, ocean-like resolve (kratu) that nourishes increase like well-guarded streams and cattle moving to pasture. The hymn culminates in affirming Indra as self-impelled and self-ruling, praying that his growing might bring the worshipper the highest, most enduring fame and auspicious hearing.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ मन्द्रैरिन्द्र हरिभिर्याहि मयूररोमभिः । मा त्वा के चिन्नि यमन्विं न पाशिनोऽति धन्वेव ताँ इहि ॥
हे इंद्र, आप आओ। आपके साथ चमकदे घोड़े हैं और चमकता हुआ शक्ति है। कोई भी आपको रोक नहीं सकता। आप सबसे आगे निकल के हमारे पास आओ।
Mantra 2
वृत्रखादो वलंरुजः पुरां दर्मो अपामजः । स्थाता रथस्य हर्योरभिस्वर इन्द्रो दृळ्हा चिदारुजः ॥
इंद्र बड़े दुश्मन को खत्म करता है। वो बंद कमरों को तोड़ता है और शहरों की दीवारों को तोड़ता है। पानी को बहा देता है। वो अपनी गाड़ी में खड़ा हो के आता है और सब कुछ तोड़ देता है।
Mantra 3
गम्भीराँ उदधीँरिव क्रतुं पुष्यसि गा इव । प्र सुगोपा यवसं धेनवो यथा ह्रदं कुल्या इवाशत ॥
इंद्र का इरादा समुंदर जैसा गहरा है। वो चमकते हुए जानवरों की तरह उनको बढ़ाता है। पानी आगे बढ़ता है जैसे गाय चारा के पास जाती है। नलियाँ जैसे तालाब में जाती हैं।
Mantra 4
आ नस्तुजं रयिं भरांशं न प्रतिजानते । वृक्षं पक्वं फलमङ्कीव धूनुहीन्द्र सम्पारणं वसु ॥
इंद्र, हमे वो धन ला जो हमे आगे बढ़ाए। कोई हमे अपना हक नहीं रोक सकता। जैसे पेड़ से पक्का फल गिरता है, वैसे ही हमे धन गिरा दे। यह धन हमे पार करवा दे।
Mantra 5
स्वयुरिन्द्र स्वराळसि स्मद्दिष्टिः स्वयशस्तरः । स वावृधान ओजसा पुरुष्टुत भवा नः सुश्रवस्तमः ॥
इंद्र, तू खुद अपनी मर्ज़ी से चलता है। तू खुद का मालिक है, खुद की शान बढ़ाने वाला। तेरी ताकत दिन के दिन बढ़ती है। लोग तुझे बहुत तारीफ करते हैं। तू हमारे लिए ऐसा बन जा जो हमारी बात सुनता है और दूसरों तक पहुँचाता है।
Inside Sukta 45
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A vivid summons: Indra is invited to come with gladdening harī, urged not to be restrained by any ‘binders’.
- Development
Praise shifts from arrival to Indra’s sustaining power—his deep resolve (kratu) that fosters increase like cattle to pasture and channels flowing to a lake.
- Climax
Indra is proclaimed self-impelled and self-sovereign (svayur, svarāṭ), growing by his own might—an apex statement of autonomous divine power.
- Where it settles
The worshipper petitions that this ever-growing Indra become most ‘fame-bringing’ for them—hearing their call and establishing auspicious renown and strength.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is celebrated as strong, fame-bearing, and responsive to well-formed hymns, with a will (kratu) deep as the oceans.
- Cosmic functionHe maintains ṛta by overcoming constriction, opening the paths for waters, light, and prosperity, and empowering the community through victory and increase.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened force of resolve and courageous intelligence that cuts through inner bonds (fear, inertia, limitation), releasing the ‘waters’ of energy, clarity, and fruitful action.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthina (Viśvāmitra-gotra) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for powerful Indra hymns and for embodying the Vedic ideal that tapas and insight can transform status into realized brahmarṣi-hood.
Famous verses
ā mandrair indra haribhir yāhi
गम्भीराँ उदधीँरिव क्रतुं पुष्यसि गा इव । प्र सुगोपा यवसं धेनवो यथा ह्रदं कुल्या इवाशत ॥svayur indra svarāḻ asi
Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slayer and obstacle-breaker
- Soma-loving, praise-responsive
- Lord of strength (ojas) and victorious power
- Protector and giver of abundance (rāyas)
- Swift-coming with harī (tawny steeds/energies)
- Fame-bearing and widely invoked (puruṣṭuta)
Also by this seer
- Major portion of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many hymns to Indra, Agni, and allied deities)
- Tradition later associates him with the Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10), though this is beyond the present hymn
- Important figure in later Itihāsa-Purāṇa narratives (as a paradigmatic seer of tapas and mantra-śakti)
The rite, step by step
- Establish the sacred fire and seat the rite with preliminary purifications and silent intention (saṅkalpa).
- Recite the opening invitation to Indra, visualizing his harī and unobstructed approach.
- Offer soma (or its substitute) and ghee with praise, emphasizing removal of restraints and swift arrival.
- Recite the ‘kratu’ and ‘streams-to-lake’ imagery as a prayer for steady growth, protected nourishment, and right-directed flow.
- Conclude with the affirmation of Indra as self-ruling and pray for strength, protection, and enduring fame; perform final oblations and śānti.
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable) or soma-substitute
- Ghee (ājya)
- Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa) in Indra context where customary
- Water libations and fragrant fuel/wood as local practice
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Indra to come quickly to the sacrifice with his harī and to overcome any obstacles or restraints, so he can strengthen the worshipper and bless them with increase and renown.
Kratu here is Indra’s purposeful will and effective intelligence. Calling it ocean-deep means it is vast, steady, and powerful—able to sustain growth and right action over time.
It emphasizes that Indra’s power does not depend on external support—he acts from his own sovereignty. The worshipper then asks that this autonomous strength become a direct protection and a source of lasting fame.
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